Community Building Grant Program

Community Building Grant Program

Status: Active competitive grant program

Geographic Scope: Statewide Maine (all 16 counties)

Focus Areas: Arts, education, environment, economic development, human services, and community improvement/capacity building

Purpose: Supports projects and organizations focused on making communities stronger through:

Investing in people by increasing skills/abilities, knowledge, and/or well-being

Engaging the people served in design, delivery, and/or evaluation of work

Strengthening community resources including organizations, partnerships, and built and natural environments

Award Amount: Maximum $10,000 per award

Funding Types:

General Support: Flexible funding for any type such as new/expanding/ongoing programs and operational needs including capital expenses

Project Grants: Support for NEW projects within the first two years, including capital expenses

General Support Eligibility Requirements

• Located in Maine (organization has a Maine address)
• Most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses BELOW $500,000
• NOT a municipality, government agency, public school, or faith-based organization
• Proposed project/organization must meet Community Building criteria

Project Grant Eligibility Requirements

• Located in Maine (organization has a Maine address)
• Most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses AT or ABOVE $500,000
• Municipalities, government agencies, public schools, or faith-based organizations may apply regardless of expenses
• Total project budget does not exceed $100,000
• Project expenses DO NOT include endowments, annual appeals, or scholarships
• For organizations with expenses below $500,000, project grants are for NEW projects only

Project Budget Guidelines

• Up to 20% of total amount requested can be for administrative costs
• Administrative costs may be used for overhead or operating expenses (rent, utilities, bookkeeping)
• Can be labeled as "administrative costs" line item
• Maximum $2,000 for a $10,000 request (or 20% of total requested, whichever is less)
• No need to specify how administrative funds will be used

General Requirements

• All applicants must meet Maine Community Foundation's grant eligibility requirements
• Applications must focus on one county that will most directly benefit (or "statewide" if three or more counties benefit)
• Community Building Grants can only support activities occurring after grant award (usually by June 1)
• Reviewed by volunteer advisors (130+ advisors representing all 16 counties)
• Committees identify strongest proposals meeting criteria with diverse sectors, geography, and populations

2025 Cycle Statistics

• Applications received: 716
• Amount requested: $6,815,477
• Number of grants awarded: 271
• Grant dollars awarded: $2,408,808
• Additional grants by donors: $372,850
• Percentage receiving funding varies by county

Contact: Staff contact varies by county - see county-specific contacts on MaineCF website

Additional Resources:

Online grant application portal (launched July 2025)

Microsoft Word version of 2026 Application Questions and Guidance available with additional helpful information

Information webinar available

Frequently Asked Questions section

Grant recipient FAQs

County-Specific Programs: Community Building grants are awarded through county and regional committees for:

Androscoggin County

Aroostook County

Cumberland County

Hancock County

Kennebec County

Knox County

Lincoln County

Oxford County

Penobscot County

Piscataquid County

Sagadahoc County

Waldo County

Washington County

Western Mountains (Franklin and Somerset counties)

York County

Statewide Fund